The NVFC turned 50 this year. The following is a look back on how it started, the Missouri connection and what NVFC has accomplished since 1976.
On March 16, 1976, representatives from 12 state fire associations gathered in Chicago, decided on a unified name (National Volunteer Fire Council and the mission to come. No one knew then that a giant was going to be awakened. Missouri officially joined a few years later. By 1978, 18 State Associations, 106 individual departments and 4 corporate members had joined.
It started with a simple idea that volunteers deserved a voice on the national stage. Their focus was to create that unified voice for volunteer emergency services across the United States. Officially established as a nonprofit organization, the NVFC began advocating for volunteer firefighters and providing essential resources. They began building connections, opening doors and making sure that volunteers had a seat at the table of national decision making. To do that effectively, an office and staff was later established just outside of Washington, DC.
Fred Williams, Firefighters Association, State of New York was the first president from 1976 to 1978. Since their founding, there have been 8 presidents with Connecticut and Wisconsin each having two. Philip C. Stittleburg (WI) served the longest at 15 years (2001-2015). Steve Hirsch, Kansas serves as the 8th president (2019 – present). Different leaders, but one mission.
Philip Sayer, Fire Chief of Galt, FFAM Director and University Instructor was the First Missouri NVFC Director and held that position until his passing in 2007, achieving nearly 30 years of service. Joe Jackson, Retired Fire Chief of Carrollton and FFAM Past President was the Assistant Director most of this same time period until stepping down for health reasons. Dr. James Coleberd became the Assistant Director and was appointed as Director in 2008 following the passing of Philip Sayer. Keith Smith was appointed Assistant Director in 2008 and became the Director in 2009 (to present) following the passing of Dr. Coleberd in December 2008.
A major milestone came in 1996 when the NVFC 21st Century Fund was created by several large donations (millions) from the U.S. Tobacco group that went into education, training, recruitment and retention initiatives. The Heart Health program was launched in 2003. Fire Corps, which helps departments connect with local community volunteers for nonoperational tasks, was launched in 2004.
In 2007, NVFC launch the National Junior Firefighter program. In 2010, NVFC created the EMS/Rescue section within the organization. In 2011, two NVFC milestones occurred. They partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to launch the Wildland Fire Assessment Program to help volunteer departments advise residents regarding the wildland-urban interface. They also took the NVFC newsletter (Dispatch) from print to digital.
2012 launched the annual Globe Gear giveaway program to under funded volunteer departments. In 2014, NVFC launched Share the Load program for mental health assistance. That helpline currently averages 3-4 critical calls per day. It was also the year their first National Training Summit was held. In 2015, they launch Make ME A Firefighter, a SAFER funded program to assist with recruitment, retention and connect community members with volunteer opportunities.
In 2017, they launched the annual print publication – Firefighter Strong with articles, tools, and resources relating to critical fire service topics including health, safety, recruitment, retention, training and leadership. In 2019, they partnered with Anheuser-Busch to launch the Emergency Drinking water for Wildland Firefighting program delivering 1.5 million cans of water annually.
In 2024, the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program was launched. In the first year State Farm provided $1 million in grants to local volunteer departments. That was increased to $1.5 million in 2025 and 2026.
In 2026, NVFC reached a milestone of 46,000 individual and 50+ Corporate Members. For 50 years, generations of volunteer firefighters have answered the call and during this same time, NVFC has stood with them. Here’s to the next 50.
Thank you for your time plus allowing Rob and I to serve on your behalf with NVFC.
FFAM
